Alexandria, La., April 5, 2018 – Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) was able to acquire new equipment and enhance classroom learning for students thanks to $500,000 in total grants funds from the Coughlin Saunders Foundation and the Louisiana Community Technical College System (LCTCS).
The Coughlin Saunders Foundation awarded CLTCC $250,000 to purchase equipment for five program areas: Nursing & Allied Health, Manufacturing, Welding, Electrical Technology, and Drafting & Design Technology. LCTCS matched the Coughlin Saunders grant with another $250,000 from the Workforce Training Rapid Response Grant.
The college will demonstrate some of the new equipment during a press conference with the Coughlin Saunders Foundation at the Alexandria Campus Saturday, April 7 at 1 p.m.
“We are using the generous donation from the Coughlin Saunders Foundation to expand our instruction and create more opportunities for hands-on learning in the classroom, which will make our graduates more employable,” said Chancellor Jimmy Sawtelle. “This is the third most recent grant we have received from a private foundation, and we are so grateful for this strong community support.”
"Our goal is to promote the Alexandria area through leadership in philanthropy,” said Sally Saunders Cockerham, Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Coughlin Saunders Foundation. “We believe CLTCC is serving our citizens, and we view this donation as an investment in the high-wage, high-demand careers identified in Central Louisiana.”
Equipment purchased with the grants funds include nursing simulators, pumps and piping trainers, hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical trainers, manufacturing tools, welding machines, electrical trainers and more.
The new equipment will expand CLTCC’s capabilities in the following areas:
- Reduced student-to-training equipment ratio – there will be more training equipment for each individual student (less sharing).
- More capacity – increase in the number of available classroom seats.
- Decrease in out-of-pocket expenses for students – students will not have to purchase their own tools.
- Improvement in technical skills – simulation equipment and trainers will give students access to latest technology.
- Safer work environment due to new equipment.
Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) is a two-year technical and community college offering associate degrees, technical diplomas, industry certificates, and customized training in more than 20 disciplines to support local workforce development and prepare students for good-paying jobs. CLTCC serves 11 parishes in Central Louisiana through its nine campuses and provides instruction in three state prisons and two federal correctional institutions. For more information, visit www.cltcc.edu.
The Coughlin Saunders Foundation strives to make a difference in the Alexandria/Pineville living environment through leadership in philanthropy.
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